The Final Countdown....

2 weeks and counting…..

Well the end is sort of near for me. No I can’t see the sun because once I’m done, back to the grad school grind, which I am not embracing. As I evaluate my internship experience I have realized the stronger urge and dire need to finally become a professional with my own baby office and title. I have no motivation to write any more papers, do a presentation or be meagerly paid. I also realize that in order to move forward in life, I must come back, and so I will. I have warned my parents that they may have to drag me away from Texas. We’ll see how that works.

As for the internship, it has been hectic and busy to say the least. Numerous proposal deadlines are coming up for me, while working in compliance is a top priority. I have noticed how everyday I am learning something new and becoming more knowledgeable about the world of athletics. There were two occurrences that I really believe will be extremely helpful for me in my career and have me prepared for future interviews.

Budgeting and Proposal one on one with the Athletic Director
This conversation came into place after I spoke with my boss about doing a mid-term evaluation of my work. As we began to chat, I got a better idea of the particular leadership program she wanted for sophomore athletes and her ultimate goal for me through this process. She seemed pleased about what I had completed and had to present and such approval led to her suggesting I do a proposal on a senior professional development seminar. Numerous athletic departments are doing such across the country but she was intrusting in me the keys to the car and wanted me to run with it. Not only did she want a proposal but a syllabus for both programs as well. Ok for now on I must say that I completely have reverence for professors You would think that writing a syllabus is a piece a cake and well maybe after years of doing such this would be the case but in reality for me, not so. I hated the entire process but I gained a lot as well. So I guess I loved and hated the process. You know what, let’s just say I left the office feeling crappy but I worked through it and feel that I will have more to present and offer her in the final proposals. I have to end this internship with a boom.

Another moment in our evaluation that really showed how great our relationship is, was having a conversation about how she got where she was and also having the opportunity to talk about anything that was on my mind. I picked her brain about budgets which led to an eventual budget training session, what does she look for in her job candidates, the importance of cross campus collaboration with athletics and how a top level executive (hahahhahaha, inside joke, RHOA) could stay in tune with student athletes and still juggle her numerous administrative duties. Overall I just loved the entire exchange and felt so comfortable around her. The comfort level is not because she’s a female, there’s been some chicks I could have strangled, but I really feel that we click and it’s weird to say it but I see myself in her in a lot of ways. She gives me hope that if you are respected, work hard and play the game right, I too can move up to an executive position in athletics one day.

Compliance, compliance, compliance...
I have learned so much and feel that this part of my internship is what will make or break my future interviews. It’s a strong statement but with what I have learned, struggled to grasp and been challenged with, I can say that it has all been worth it. As mentioned in my last post, my compliance boss had left for a week, I had thought and had left important compliance work for me to do. That week turned into two weeks and I must say that it was a great learning experience but frustrating as well. I do not like to wait on others to do things. I am a Capricorn, which means I freak out over having to depend on others to get things done. I eventually got over myself and worked as efficiently as I could. Once my compliance boss came back, she was highly impressed and we eventually had a sit down to chat about my final projects and go over a few things I had interest in. I learned so much and was appreciative that she was willing to ask my million dollar questions without a flinch. I also felt enlightened after our conversation and have grasped so much that I wander how I will be able to highlight such on my resume. My boss also took me for a loop without warning. As we were chatting she literally stated quizzing me on numerous compliance, academic and ethical bylaws. Of course, I never get caught off my game but I was shocked. I passed the test but my goodness I learned a lesson of always being on your “A” game that’s for sure. Since I passed her test and understood so much, I will now become an orientation brat for the remainder of my internship. I will be presenting numerous topics for coaches and incoming student athletes and dealing with any other orientation assignments that may fly my way. I never thought I would be dipping my hand in anything orientation wise but, cheers anyways.

Memorable Moment
My memorable moment for these past weeks was witnessing and overhearing how hard working the student athletes at SEU are. First off, these students are extremely smart, unlike some athletes I have dealt with; sorry I’m just being honest. All athletes come in with the average SAT of 1200 but also must balance the life of actually working to pay the bills, student life and being an athlete. Scholarship are scarce for Division II and even with the funding they do receive, going to a private school, like SEU, costs a lot of money. What I have come to learn is that Division I athletes just don’t know how great they have it but on the other hand I realize that the reason why there are special services for athletes at DI’s is because they’re not on the high academic level that I have become accustomed to this summer. It’s an interesting spectrum to look at and it has made me re-evaluate what type of institution do I actually want to work for. There’s always something new to learn and this news flash has my mind at a spin.

Mini Updates:
I still want that tattoo but since where I want it is quite visible and I want a job, I’ll just have to be a big girl and hold off☹
Daily all the boys that work in athletics call me nerd. One funny moment occurred this past week where every five minutes someone would drop by and ask to borrow a book from my desk, which has gotten pretty tall since I’ve been doing so much research. I took no offense and thought the first person needed a book but realized soon that it was a joke. I couldn’t stop laughing. I thought it was quite funny and another reason to love athletics. I just love hanging out with the boys.

Weird story:One of the coaches doesn’t eat bread at all, which irks me in a way I can’t explain. She says it in a way that makes you feel guilty, whatevs. How do you live?

Best quote:“Who gone check me boo”. Oh and, “Google me and read my resume”. Holler!